The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development Barrister Solomon Dalung has officially inaugurated the Main Organizing Committee of the 20th Edition of the National Sports Festival which will be coming up in Edo State in 2020.
In his speech at the occasion which took place at the National Stadium Abuja, the Minister described Sports as one of the unifying factors for promoting peace and unity in the country. According to him sports has moved from recreation to big time business and in the shortest time will become the bride of the next civilization after ICT.
He charged members of the Committee “to see the task as a gigantic assignment in which the country has entrusted the mandate in their custody and also a service to humanity for the development of the country”.
He encouraged them to harmonize all their experiences to create mutual respect and synergy from each other to ensure that history is kept by achieving a successful hosting.
Speaking further the Minister commended Edo State Government having won the competitive bidding that awarded them the hosting right. He said it is in line with the development of the Ministry so that the festival does not suffer any set back again.
Dalung also expressed the Ministry’s satisfaction with the level of seriousness and commitment the state has exhibited in their preparation towards the hosting especially with what is on ground in the state and urged them to ensure a hitch free hosting of the game.
While thanking the Media for their continuous support to the Ministry , he however appealed to Corporate and private Organizations to support sports and partner with the state for the successful hosting of the festival.
The Committee is to be headed by Mr. Adesola Olusade the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry while the vice – chairman is the deputy Governor of Edo state Mr. Philip Shuibu and Mrs. Hauwa Kulu Akinyemi is the Secretary. Other members are, Engr. Habu Gumel, Brig. Gen. Emico Eruwa, Dr. Ademola Are, Mrs. Tayo Oreweme Dr. Paul Onyeudo, Mr. Habu Fika, Arch. Ahmadu Gambo, Mrs. Lere- Adams, Mr. Jimoh Folahan and Mr. Eke Kingdom. Also in the Committee are Barrister Dudu Orumen, Ambassador Fanny Amu,Mr. Tunde Kazeem, Mr. Oduyebo , Mr. Danjuma A. Mohammed , and Mr. Sunny Airende.
Speaking on behalf of the members the Chairman of the Committee Mr. Adesola Olusade thanked the Ministry for finding them worthy to be bestowed with such responsibility . The task he said is enormous but will be carried out, and with the wealth of experience of the members he is confident the Festival will be a huge success.
Ulor A Chioma Infor. Offr 1
For: Director Press
24th April, 2019.
